Goodbye...Hello

It's time to say goodbye to 2012.  There was bad that I will not miss, but there was good that was so wonderful it almost made up for the bad.  Thinking back over the year and about how I wanted to share it here, I decided that instead of looking back, I want to talk about what I want to welcome in 2013.  Since I can't show pictures from the future, I'm using images of the past to help show what I want to have more of in 2013.

So, in the coming year - 2013, I want to invite in...

 more numbers like this and better health...

more dirt from the garden on my hands and under my nails ...

more of my own, homegrown vegetables...

more time knitting, with cute things to show for it...

more time spent here - weeding, planting, growing...

more beautiful sunsets...

more time creating, letting myself grow into my art...

more trips, meeting new people, seeing new places and doing new things...

more flowers...

 more snuggles with this cute face and his brother and sister (my nephews and niece)

and especially more whimsy and fun!

And of course, more time sharing here, in this space.


Instead of choosing one word for the coming year, I want to invite in an excess of words, I want to use as many as I can to live my life.  Despite the pain, I will have a good, full life.

Wishing you all the best for a magical, prosperous 2013.
love & blessings
~*~

Blessed Solstice

Wishing you all a most magical solstice day.  May the coming year bring you peace, joy and love.

love & blessings
~*~

ps...I received a perfect solstice gift today...SNOW.  Really it was just a few flakes, but I am very grateful for each one.  I am also grateful for each of you dear readers.  ♥

a grey day

I stepped outside to the porch this afternoon and took the above photo.  My lights are on a timer, set to come on at dusk and turn off at dawn.  It was about 4:30 when I saw the lights come on through the window.  It seemed appropriate for today.  For the last several days, actually.  Grey skies...rain...

My heart breaks for the families and friends of those affected by the tragedy in Connecticut.  One of my Facebook friends made the comment that "you cannot rationalize an irrational act".  These have been the only words that have made sense to me.

There has been much activity in my little cottage over the last couple of weeks.  I got it into my head that I couldn't stand the chaos anymore.  So, I went to work.  Every room except one, the laundry, has been cleaned top to bottom and organized as much as possible.  I still have some work to do, tubs in the attic that need to be sorted out.  I'm at my comfort point now, though.  I can look around my home and be comfortable.  I can go into my studio and find my tools easily, sit down at the work table and create.  It has made me very happy.  I even hosted a little dinner party this past weekend.  Just myself, my mum and a friend.  But it was so lovely to have people over and not be embarrassed about the mess.

There has been knitting progress.  I made my first hat.  It didn't turn out exactly as it should, but it turned out cute enough for me.  I was very pleased with it.  I'm planning to make some to give as gifts, probably for next year, as this year has rushed away from me.  This is the year of homemade treats.  I'll be making more goodies this week.  I'm already planning homemade gifts for next year - mostly knitted things, I think.

I finished a scarf for a sweet little boy I know and am working on one for his adorable little sister (below).  She loves color and I thought this yarn would be cute for her.  Now I must get busy working on it so I have it done in time.  She also has a birthday this week and I must get out and shop for something small for her.  I have a few more items to get for this years presents and then I'm done.  I've tried to stay out of the big box stores and shop local as often as possible.

I've missed being here.  I've missed reading the blogs of so many of you.  It is funny to me how many posts I write in my head while I'm cleaning or sorting or baking.  But when I come to the computer and start to write...my mind goes blank. 

I've just realized while sitting here that I never finished sharing about my October adventure.  I will do that soon.  (I promise I'll try.)

I hope that you are all doing well.  Thanks for reading and hanging in there with me.  This time of year is always difficult for me and well...you know.

blessings
~*~